Christmas tree from Arizona to Washington on biodiesel

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is being cut in Arizona's White
Mountains, transported to Oro Valley and several communities across
the state, then hauled to Washington, all on a truck fueled by
biodiesel.

This year's Christmas tree will be transported from the
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, headquartered in Springerville,
on a Southwest Industrial Rigging truck fueled by biodiesel. The
tree is expected to be cut down on Nov. 7.

Southwest Industrial Rigging, an Arizona-based company since
1984, specializes in the delivery of heavy duty machinery and crane
equipment.

"We are thrilled to be a part of history, and bringing biodiesel
as the fuel of choice into that history," said Mike Monfred,
compliance officer of Southwest Industrial Rigging in Phoenix.

"We are honored to be the first state to deliver the tree in a
clean, green manner," said Richard Davalos, coordinator of the
Capitol Christmas Tree. "We are also honored to help promote
reducing America's dependence on foreign oil."

The Tucson Regional Clean Cities Program at Pima Association of
Governments, the National Biodiesel Foundation and Southwest
Industrial Rigging are helping Arizona officials in plotting the
route to Washington, D.C.

The route will allow for refueling with biodiesel, and public
education is planned along the way about the benefits of
biodiesel.

"This is a great undertaking, and one that Arizona should be
proud of," said Tom Verry, executive director of the National
Biodiesel Foundation.

"The process is honorary, historic and a production like none
other," said Clean Cities Manager Colleen Crowninshield. "Arizona
has a grand opportunity to showcase the 'Grand Canyon State' with a
tree that will illuminate the foreground of the nation's Capitol
with all the magic and splendor representative of our great
state."